Hi Kathy,
There are several threads on the forum with lists of favorite LA sellers that might be helpful to you. Here's a link to one of them. Scroll down through the posts to find the list. You might do a search of the forum for favorite La sellers and come up with more threads also.
Jan

Here is a link that might be useful: favorite LA sellers

I think it is because of the economy sellers often set a low starting price hoping to get interest going in their offerings sometimes they just offer a few at low starting bid prices and their others at higher prices. I have purchased some from very reputable sellers and know the very healthy plants I have recieved are not tissue culture. The economy is having an impact also on the world of daylilies.

I have about three sellers that I am very happy with...they have been here a long time...
I just remember the saying, "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is"
Kathy

I would suggest before you buy you ask the vendor as to the origins of the specific daylily. When I did that, some sellers knew the daylily came from the hybridizer, or they could trace them back to the hybridizer. Some sellers didn't know where their supplier bought them, so I assumed it was possible the daylily might not be the "real deal". Of course, always check the seller's ratings & feedback to see if they have a good reputattion.

I don't know of any seller on the LA that would be offering Tissue Cultured plants. I don't see how it would be very easy for an average grower to do TC as a lab would certainly help. The sellers are mostly what they have always been, those that buy up the new intros and then line them out to resell and others that sell excess when the cumps get too big.

There are various possible explanations for what you're observing. Many daylilies go down in price quite quickly. Very often, you'll see this with new intros from the south that increase quickly and/or with ones that are grown by southern people for resale. It's all basic economics -- supply and demand. So, here, you have increase in supply, which would depress the price.

And often, there are even newer introductions that may be similar to that older one, but (ideally) with improvements. In this case, you may have lots of people foregoing the older one in favor of the newer one. Basic economics again: decrease in demand results in need to sell at a lower price.

Another reason why there may be a decrease in demand is that so many people who *must* have the newest of the new (because they are hybridizers, because they want to sell these plants and so want to grow them to get increase, or possibly because they are just plain nuts LOL), already have the daylilies you're seeing on the auction. Ergo, by the time the plants are auction plants, the bulk of highest-priced sales have already occurred.

And yet another explanation: there are many good to great northern hybridizers who are creating wonderful daylilies, ones with teeth or other fancy edges, patterns, etc. etc. etc. -- all the features you generally saw only on southern plants. So now, you may have much wider choice for some characteristic you want in your next daylily. Result is, once again, increase in supply, not of a particular cultivar, but of that cultivar's most notable characteristic. For many people, that's essentially one and the same. Therefore, when someone wants to sell a southern daylily that's pink and with teeth, for example, northern buyers may not be bidding....they know they can get their hands of something very like that southern plant.

Also, apart from supply and demand, there is "intrinsic" value, if you want to put it like that. Usually, at any particular point in time, cultivars have a certain intrinsic value, with a range around that value at which you'll see bids and prices. So, you have intrinsic value and an expected range for a new intro in its intro year. Both the value and range will be lower in each successive year. Of course, there are always some daylilies in very short supply, and there are always some bidders who are determined to have a daylily at almost any price.

Combine that with the fact that the universe of auction bidders is high. Thus, it doesn't matter whether a seller starts the bidding on a $150 daylily at $85 or at $2....assuming that there are enough people out there in Auction Land who still want that plant (and that the seller has a good reputation), the final price for the plant will be at or close to that intrinsic value -- it should at least be at or above the bottom of the range.

BTW, most auction sellers will state in their descriptions whether a daylily is undersized or whatever. If the seller has a good rep, I wouldn't worry about the starting price.

I have to chime in on this one.
I bought several plants from two sellers who both live in Delaware off the auction. BIG disappointment with the quality of the plants. Imagine a pencil and that is what I got. No kidding. Sellers ratings were all good so no indication I was heading down a bad path. I understand it can happen, BUT, at least give me - the buyer- a heads up that the plants are way undersized and give me the option of not taking them.
Shop around on the internet for the plants your interested in and see what they are selling for and then check LA.
If the price is too good, your right, buyer beware.

Julia

Sorry, Julia, but I must disagree. Two sellers out of a very high number is not significant IMO. And, as I said, listing price doesn't usually mean much. It's all economics.

bellasmom06,

Instead of all this wild a$$ speculation, why don't you just link to the auction you're talking about and then we can give you meaningful opinions, less all the generalities!

Are you afraid we'll become competition?
Ed

OK, case in point. FABULOUS FRIEDA was listed as 1 fan on the Kirchoffs site for $175.00, they don't seem to drop the price even of afew years ago intros. I think its a 2007. Over the Winter Abundant Daylilies in FL, which buys and then lines out for resale, listed it starting price around $30.00. I bought it at $46.50. I received a 7 fan clump this spring.

OK...first let me say thank you to those of you who answered me and tried to help me out.
Second, I'm sure that the economy may have something to do with this.
Third, I simply posted here for one reason, and that was to find out if there was any situation with tissue culture, or anything else I should be aware of since I last visited the auction and this forum.

XOKIENTX--Ed...I now remember why I lost interest in this forum. I don't have time for the drama. Sorry if I offended you some how with my post. I didn't link to the auction because there are many auctions at low prices, IN MY OPINION, and I felt no need to draw any attention to any of them. I am NOT afraid of any competition on auctions, and as far as I can see, you are the only one participating in "wild a$$ speculation".

I love daylilies, gadrening, and I have done busimess with super sellers on the auction such as Mother and Tjlily to name but two. I've never had a bad experience in purchasing Daylilies, except when I bought plants from nurseries/sellers that didn't specialise in daylilies.

Thanks guys for all your input!!!!
Kathy

Kethy, this is a great forum and the people here are generally very warm and welcoming. Don't leave because there might be a post that rubbed you the wrong way.

Ditto lynxe's interpretation.

I find that 99.9999999999999% posters on the daylily forum are the kindest, most polite & helpful on the entire GW!!!!!!
If you want to see rude, just put a post on the Trees forum saying how much you like Bradford pears - you'll get an earful from what I dubbed the self-appointed "pear police".

I agree with above. :) LOL@Pear Police! Or go to the conifer forum and mention that you think you'd like a Leyland Cypress. Good times! :D

Try the bluebirding forum and just mention that you love the House Wrens that nest here ever year in one of the birdhouses.

First, bellasmom06/Kathy, I just gotta say that maybe you reacted just a tad too much to Ed's post...he's a great guy, valuable forum member, most excellent daylilyperson...and did it cross your radar that maybe there was some humor there? That's all.

I was curious who you were referring to as well since there are folks who start their offerings quite low...most always rise higher...as noted above... The prices are what the prices are...

I just this weekend re-homed (my new term) a 2004 daylily to someone I thought would like it better than me...can't beat that price...lol.

Anyway, I hope you'll post whenever you want. I can't think of anyone on here (at least right now...lol)...who isn't helpful...and usually fun...I appreciate a little humor now and then...although, as I think about it, there have been a few drive-by posters who like to shoot the occasional arrows. But, that's pretty rare.

I'm laughing, you guys, at the remarks about the other forums. Pear Police! (I do wonder, though, why anyone would...now...knowingly plant one...)

Take care now.

I've got a 25 year old Bradford Pear that I'd like to "rehome" GG....anyone in the market? LOL
You guys crack me up.....everyone needs a good laugh daily, don't you think?
Jan

I think he was trying to be funny. I actually think this forum has the nicest people around! I was just thinking that the other day how nice this forum is and how nice the people are.

Ed is capable of defending/explaining himself and certainly doesn't need my help. But for the record...if it hadn't been for Ed and this forum, I probably would have given up on daylilies a few years ago. Ed (and others), generously and patiently, gave me the information, suggestions, and support I needed to get my rust problem under control. He will never know how grateful I am. From one Kathy to another...Trust me...Ed is one of the good guys.

Kathy

Try the composting forum and ask about what can't be composted.

ROFL at you funny people. Ed has been very helpful to me in the past, I think he was being funny also.
Thanks for the heads up, I will be certain to never post on the tree forum.
As far as prices go it is the law of supply and demand. Some people start their prices low because they know they will get lots of bids anyway, if it is a popular cultivar, and the prices level off according to what people will pay at that point in time.
Just my very humble opinion., I haven't had my coffee yet and don't feel like fighting.

Dot

Try the hosta forum and tell them you can only buy 10 hostas because you need the money for more daylilies! LOL

Thanks for all the input guys!!!!!
Here is an example of what I'm talking about... I hope the link works, as I've never done this before. I've never heard of this Seller before, and didn't look at one thing about him/her, just picked an auction.
Here we have a recent introduction that I assume sold for a lot more when it was introduced. Now it is starting at $5.00?????
OK...what do you all think???
Kathy

Here is a link that might be useful: Evening Vision, Carr 2006 Double Fan

Thanks for all the input guys!!!!!
Here is an example of what I'm talking about... I hope the link works, as I've never done this before. I've never heard of this Seller before, and didn't look at one thing about him/her, just picked an auction.
Here we have a recent introduction that I assume sold for a lot more when it was introduced. Now it is starting at $5.00?????
OK...what do you all think???
Kathy

Here is a link that might be useful: Evening Vision, Carr 2006 Double Fan

OOPS!!!!! I'm sooo sorry!!!!!

Kathy,
I noticed that he started most of his auctions at 5.00, some people just do that. They know that on the new ones the bids will get bumped up and if they are older ones then they will go for maybe only 5.00. Five dollars is just a starting bid, nothing more nothing less, its not a fixed price. One seller from CA starts all his bids at 2.00, no matter how new or old they are. Thats just the way they do business to get people bidding and interest started.

Dot

The worst: Try asking at the bird watchers forum if they have any building plans for bird feeders that a cat can't reach. They had a solution alright for the cat problem but it wasn't a feeder.

Dot Nailed it.

If I had me, say, some Bass Gibson or Puffer Fish to sell, I would be quite comfortable liting them for a penny.

THey sure wouldn't sell for that.

This was all so informative, and down right funny, I was laughing so hard, I started to cry. That would be a great thread, "Go to the _________forum and ask_________!!!!
We could all be 'drive by posters".
You people are all so smart and clever too!!
Cindy

I browse the lilyauction site but as my ISP is Yahoo-related I've been unable to register despite kind, polite emails including more than two legitimate addresses and phone numbers and a referral. Screw 'em. I've seen all kinds of cultivars I'd gladly pay for at reasonable prices, others that were downright expensive. I don't need the hassle, how many true deadbeats E-scam daylily sales? As a perspective buyer, they suck. After completing the ENTIRE form with ALL info, nothing. Thanks lily-nazis.

Wes Peacock

740-887-2849 (home 1)
740-756-9555 (home 2)
740-503-5355 (cell)

F' em.

I think Wes might be a little ticked off at the Lilyauction owner but calling people deadbeat E-scammers when you know nothing of the GREAT reputable sellers on there, is totally uncalled for. I've already had my coffee this morning so bring it on !!! And SURE you would post your phone numbers on here, you are probably in Nigeria!!

Dot

This is funny! I love the comment about the bluebirder's getting a wren in one of their houses. Talk about OMG!!!!!Anyway, I noticed that prices on some of the new cultivar's on the lily action seem down.... expect for a few really hot selling one's. I figured it was the economy. It's kind of nice to be able to find a good buy once in a while. I've bought hundreds of my current 623 different daylilies on the auction and have had wonderful experiences and made some truly dear friends with many of these wonderful sellers. They have helped me so very much with my gardening--I've learned so much from them. Daylily people and gardener's (in my book) are the greatest people there are. They nurture the good earth. My very best to all of you!

I have gotten a few of those daylilies this year. One I will agree with Rita..Abundant Daylilies I received 5 or 6 fans of Bella Sera ($25) and Wonder of It All ($25) another 4 or 5 fan clump. Blooms were spectacular! I also recieved some very nice daylilies from Cajunkid and have those presently potted up.

You can even go on Ebay and get daylilies from Blueridge for $10 right now. Nice huge fans that will rival any from FL.

I have never had much luck from Mother and Tjlily and I have been growing daylilies for 15 years.

This thread is hilarious! I visit the tree & conifer forum & know of the pear & leyland haters!

Dot, I may be misunderstanding Wes, but I interpretted it that the buyers would be escamming the sellers. That is why you have to go thru the hooha of registering on the LA. Wes, I have yahoo too & had a hard time registering. I'd probably still be waiting if I wouldn't have used my work email to register. Once I got registered I switched my email address back to yahoo. If you read the thread linked above, it was all about how the poster had the exact same problem with registering. I think her issue was IP address & not receiving emails. Read thru it & see if that helps to get you registered.

lalalandwi: Registering allows you to both buy and sell on LA so it protects both buyers and sellers. As you say, the hooha of registering lets LA verify who you are. Nothing is fool proof but I think Mike and his staff do a good job of monitoring.

Wes: Could be an email issue so don't be too disappointed as others have had problems registering also.

Julia